Click on the picture to be taken to Learnex (New Zealand) for the workbooks.
One of my children almost taught themselves to read using these books. My late reader was able to do these without finding them babyish. Humour is used throughout. We sometimes use the in-between books (Explode the Code 1 1/2, Explode the Code 2 1/2 …) if the child takes longer to master the material.

The phonics are not as pure as The Writing Road to Reading which we have also used in our home. But children can do them with minimal help. Most other phonics programs require a great deal of parental input. Nothing wrong with that as such. We found that the Explode the Code was great if I was very busy with a baby, or cooking or cleaning or helping another child…they could still do something to work on their reading. So whether it is your core of reading instruction or a supplement I think they are great!

We also use the  pre-school books  Get Ready for the Code (Book A),  Get Set for the Code (Book B) and Go for the Code (Book C).